Happy Birthday, Jack Nicholson!

Today, we're celebrating the 75th birthday of the legendary, three-time Academy Award-winning actor, Jack Nicholson. He started acting in the mid-1950s and made his first feature film appearance in 1958's The Cry Baby Killer, but it wasn't until his performance in 1969's Easy Rider that he truly entered the public consciousness. Six years later, after hitting it big in 1974's Chinatown, Nicholson won his first Oscar for his leading role in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and a star was born. Since then, Jack has appeared in such big-time fare as 1980's The Shining, 1983's Terms of Endearment, 1989's Batman, 1992's A Few Good Men, 1997's As Good As It Gets and 2006's The Departed. Most recently, audiences have seen Nicholson in 2010's How Do You Know, and it is currently unknown as to what his next project might be. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my ten favorite of his performances, and I've managed to find clips for each for your viewing pleasure. Once again, happy birthday, Jack!

10. President James Dale

Mars Attacks! (1996)

*****

9. Edward

The Bucket List (2007)

*****

8. Dr. Buddy Rydell

Anger Management (2003)

*****

7. Warren Schmidt

About Schmidt (2002)

*****

6. Joker / Jack Napier

Batman (1989)

*****

5. Melvin Udall

As Good As It Gets (1997)

*****

4. Wilbur Force

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)

*****

3. Frank Costello

The Departed (2006)

*****

2. Jack Torrance

The Shining (1980)

*****

1. R.P. McMurphy

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Happy Birthday, John Turturro!

Today we're celebrating the 55th birthday of actor John Turturro. Turturro made his first appearance in a feature film in an uncredited role in 1980's Raging Bull, but it wasn't until the 1984 film The Flamingo Kid that he played a credited and named character. He worked consistently through the 1980s, appearing in such iconic films as Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Do the Right Thing (1989), but it wasn't until the early 1990s that he truly started to gain recognition. Turturro starred in two Coen brothers films - 1990's Miller's Crossing and 1991's Barton Fink - and these collaborations started a great relationship between the actor and the directing brothers, who have re-cast him in some of their other films, including 1998's The Big Lebowski and 2000's O Brother, Where Art Thou? Since then, Turturro has made appearances in films like 2003's Anger Management opposite Adam Sandler and 2004's Secret Window opposite Johnny Depp, as well as having a recurring supporting role in the Transformers trilogy. Most recently, audiences have seen him in 2011's Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and they'll next be able to see him in 2012's Gods Behaving Badly. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite of John Turturro's performances. I hope you enjoy the list! Once again, happy birthday, John Turturro!

5. Chuck
Anger Management (2003)


***

4. Jesus Quintana
The Big Lebowski (1998)


***

3. Pete
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)


***

2. Barton Fink
Barton Fink (1991)


***

1. John Shooter
Secret Window (2004)

Happy Birthday, Woody Harrelson!

It's a little ironic that I just did a DVD Challenge for Zombieland a few days ago with Woody Harrelson's birthday right around the corner, but now he's been in my consciousness for the past few days. Harrelson, who turns 50 today, made his first big break on the television show "Cheers" and rode his success from there. While he generally plays a more comedic character, he has shown that he has the ability to delve into the dramatic, garnering two Academy Award nominations throughout his career. You can currently see him in the new film Friends with Benefits. So without any further delay, here's my five favorite Woody Harrelson roles! Enjoy!

5. Carson Stone
No Country for Old Men (2007)


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4. Galaxia / Security Guard Gary
Anger Management (2003)


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3. Captain Tony Stone
The Messenger (2009)


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2. Tallahassee
Zombieland (2009)


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1. Mickey Knox
Natural Born Killers (1994)


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Awards
2003: Nominee - Best Cameo or Brief Appearance
2009: Nominee - Best Supporting Actor, Drama; Best Hero(ine)